“Mayumi-san…”
“Mother…”
“W-well, Madame, it has been quite a long time.”
“Yes. You seem well too, Managing Director Yamanashi.”
Mayumi-san, who had suddenly appeared from the shadows of the hallway, gave Sara and me a quick look. She then began conversing with the Managing Director as if nothing out of the ordinary were happening.
There was an indescribable, slightly awkward tension in the air between them…
“No, no. You are as beautiful as ever, Madame.”
“I don’t care for such trivial flattery. More importantly, I would like you to tell me exactly what those remarks just now meant.”
“Before that, might I ask for an explanation as well? What on earth is the meaning of the story I just heard from your daughter?”
“There’s nothing to explain. Just as Sara-chan said, these two are in a relationship.”
Facing the Managing Director, who was adopting a conversational posture twenty percent more exaggerated than when he spoke to me, Mayumi-san exchanged words with a defiant smile that suggested she was in complete control. However, her eyes were not laughing in the slightest.
Rather, she possessed an overwhelming power that seemed to pierce right through him—a presence that couldn't even be compared to her demeanor during the initial disturbance inside the venue. She was completely dominant. Perhaps because of that, it was clear that the Managing Director did not feel nearly as composed as his voice suggested.
“Is that so? And are you saying you both actually approve of this?”
“Of course. He is the fated partner that Sara-chan finally found, and interfering with that is not something a parent should do.”
“Fated… Haha, you’ve certainly made quite a bold claim.”
“Oh, what’s so funny? I’ve simply stated the facts.”
As the two continued their exchange, the tone of their voices dropped lower and lower. It felt as if invisible sparks were flying—an unmistakably ominous atmosphere had begun to settle over us.
Could it be that these two actually disliked each other?
“Well, for the sake of argument, let’s say that would be fine while they are students. However, your daughter needs to consider her own position a bit more…”
“Then there’s no need to worry. Kazunari-kun is going to be adopted into our family, so he will be a member of the Satsukawa Family in both name and reality.”
“…What?”
At Mayumi-san’s words, which had very casually blurted out the heart of the matter, the expression of the Managing Director—who had maintained a semblance of composure until now—finally began to crumble.
Though, putting that aside…
Wasn't that supposed to be a top secret?!
“Actually, we intended to announce it officially after this, but I suppose I should let you know. This boy… Kazunari-kun will become our adopted son in the near future.”
“A-Adopted?! T-That can’t… Surely not!!??”
“It is exactly as you are thinking. Kazunari-kun will be adopted into the Satsukawa Family and will marry Sara in the future. That will settle everything where it belongs…”
“Wait, please wait a moment!! Why was such a grave matter decided without any consultation with us…”
“Pardon? Why must we consult an officer regarding every little thing concerning our private affairs? Don't talk in your sleep.”
“Sara-chan, leave this to me for now, or the conversation will get complicated.”
“…Yes.”
Mayumi-san gently restrained Sara, who had interjected against the flustered Managing Director’s rambling. I was of the exact same opinion—why on earth did our personal matters have to be vetted by people from the company?
“…Madame, do you truly intend to let them marry like this? If I may say so, they are both still high school students. To tie a romance at such an age so deeply…”
“Oh, but these two are already engaged. Didn’t you see Sara-chan’s ring finger?”
“…I thought that was merely a fake pest repellent.”
“Well, I suppose it’s not surprising for someone who only knows the usual Sara-chan to think that… but unfortunately, you're wrong. That is a genuine engagement ring that Kazunari-kun worked for and bought himself. And Sara-chan accepted it.”
“!?”
“What!?”
Hearing Mayumi-san’s explanation, the Managing Director and his son turned stunned expressions toward me. However, perhaps the Managing Director still had some pride left, as he cleared his throat to quickly regain his footing before looking back at Mayumi-san.
“Since we are at it, let’s set aside the question of how seriously two high schoolers are thinking about the future. More importantly, Madame… and the Senior Managing Director as well, do you really believe this will be accepted?”
“Whether it’s accepted or not, I have no intention of letting anyone interfere with their relationship. That’s why we’re going through with the adoption.”
“Even if you go that far, do you think everything will settle peacefully? Adopting him while considering your daughter’s position means you’ve thought that far ahead, I assume?”
“Of course. Both Masaomi-san and I… for that matter, even the President and my mother feel that way.”
“E-Even the President and the Grand Madame!?”
Seeing the Managing Director express his shock so theatrically that it was hard to tell if he truly understood, I couldn't help but feel perplexed.
Was this situation really something that should surprise others to this extent?
“You seem to be misunderstanding something, so let me say this: while we have provided the position of an officer as a corporation, we have absolutely no intention of letting anyone interfere in this matter. Surely you understand what it means for someone like me, who usually doesn't appear in public, to say this much?”
“T-That is…”
“And besides…”
Mayumi-san paused for a breath after saying that much.
She glared at the Managing Director with an icy, sharp, and cold gaze that surpassed even Sara’s when she was openly angry—a gaze that made me feel chills.
“I’ve been standing here listening quietly, and it seems you’ve been looking down on my cute son quite a bit… You’ve got quite some nerve, don't you?”
“!?”
“Or are you simply panicking? It seems that candidates who put themselves forward are being given strange priority within the company. If your own son isn't good enough, are you trying to settle things with someone related to those under your influence… perhaps?”
“W-W-What on earth are you saying…”
“Don’t underestimate me. I know you were moving secretively behind the scenes during Masaomi-san's time too, but you are sorely mistaken if you think you can do as you please just because my father is gone.”
“Urgh…”
It was exactly like a frog glared at by a snake. Even I felt genuine fear at the staggering pressure Mayumi-san exerted—she was so completely different from her usual self—that the Managing Director fell silent. Seeing his son standing behind him, looking utterly flustered, I felt that his reaction was only natural in the face of Mayumi-san's current state.
“Mayumi? And Sara too… Managing Director Yamanashi?”
Masaomi-san suddenly appeared, reminiscent of a scene from moments before, and the frozen air in the hallway loosened just a bit.
As Masaomi-san gazed at the situation with curiosity, he tilted his head casually. Well, it couldn't be helped since he didn't know what had happened.
“Sigh… Masaomi-san, your follow-through is so weak that I have to clean up after you.”
“Huh? Uh… is that so?”
“It is!! Honestly… you’re far too careless!!”
“I-I’m sorry?”
Masaomi-san offered an apology to the completely incensed Mayumi-san, then looked at the Managing Director with a suspicious expression.
“Managing Director, was there something you wanted to discuss?”
“Senior Managing Director… is the matter of the adoption true?”
“…Mayumi?”
Hearing the Managing Director ask in a strained voice, Masaomi-san’s expression tightened instantly. He cast a glance toward Mayumi-san as if to confirm something, and when she gave a firm nod, he seemed to realize everything. His aura changed at once.
“…Ah, it’s true. It’s still a bit further in the future, but Kazunari-kun here will become our adopted son.”
“Do you truly understand what will happen if you do something so sudden? To make such an announcement without any groundwork, especially in this situation where marriage interviews and proposals for your daughter are flooding in…”
“It’s not a problem. We have already finished the groundwork in the 'necessary places,' and once you hear the surprise announcement scheduled for later, no one will be able to interfere in this matter anymore. Not even an Executive Officer… or a Managing Director, for that matter.”
Faced with Masaomi-san speaking so boldly and with more dignity and pressure than I had ever seen from him, the Managing Director, who had looked somewhat cowed for a while now, stood with his mouth agape.
But that was only natural.
Because the meaning of Masaomi-san's words was…
“H-Haha, hahaha… I see. I understand very well. If you go that far, I shall wait for this surprise of yours. It won't be too late to talk after that.”
“Yes. If you still have the composure to say something after seeing it, then by all means, do as you like. However… I believe you will need to be prepared for the consequences at that time.”
“Prepared… I see. I shall keep that in mind. Now then, if you'll excuse us for now… Let’s go, Yukihito.”
“Eh!? Y-Yes, I understand. Um, Sara-san, see you later—”
“Excuse me… could you stop that already?”
“…Huh?”
As I suddenly interjected, the young man showed a very obvious expression of surprise and confusion.
Until now, there were many things I couldn't say even if I wanted to, so I had no choice but to watch. But regardless of whether this person had ill intentions or not…
Even if I knew this was just simple possessiveness…
“I understand perfectly well that you truly like Sara-san, but Sara-san is clearly uncomfortable, isn't she? Besides, she’s told you many times not to call her by her first name.”
“T-That’s… but I don't see why I should be told that by you…”
“There is a reason. No matter what anyone says, Sara-san is my fiancée. It’s only natural for me to feel unpleasant when another man makes eyes at her and approaches her. If another man were hitting on your lover, wouldn't you feel bad?”
“Urgh…”
I chose my words carefully so as not to sound too aggressive, while speaking calmly so that my message would be clearly understood.
To be honest, as both her boyfriend and fiancé, I didn't lack the desire to get properly angry here. While there were many things I wanted to deny, at the very least, I couldn't complain about the fact that this person liked Sara-san.
But at least, there was one thing…
“Also, let me make this absolutely clear: I’m the only one allowed to call her 'Sara-san,' and among men outside her family, I’m the only one who can call her 'Sara' without an honorific. This is what Sara herself desires above all else, so please understand that already.”
I knew that saying things this way might risk giving off an unfavorable impression—like being arrogant or insolent—but this was a line I could not yield. Unless I went this far, this person probably wouldn't understand.
Since it’s impossible for one person to control another's heart, there was no choice but to make him recognize the reality.
“It is exactly as Kazunari-san says. Even if you harbor feelings for me, I have absolutely no need for affection directed at me from any man other than Kazunari-san. I have nothing more to discuss with you, and it is no joke for you to trouble Kazunari-san's heart with this sort of thing.”
“T-To go that far…”
“Yes. I love Kazunari-san from the bottom of my heart, and I truly wish to spend the rest of my life together with him.”
“Sara, you don't even have to wish for that. I feel the same way…”
Because my feelings of wanting to be with Sara forever were exactly the same. Even if Sara didn't wish for it, I was the one who wanted to ask her.
“Fufu… I’m so happy, darling♪”
“Oh my… This isn't even a contest anymore.”
“Guh… Khhh…”
“…Let’s go, Yukihito.”
While the young man stood there dazed, staring at me with frustration, the Managing Director pulled him away almost by force and began walking quickly to leave the area.
“Ah, that’s right. Managing Director. About what we just discussed…”
“…I won't tell anyone. Since I don't know the risks yet, moving carelessly would be a poor move.”
“Very well. Then, until later.”
After giving a curt reply to Masaomi-san’s warning, the Managing Director walked away without looking back once.
“…This is finally reaching the climax, isn't it?”
“Yeah. Thinking about what comes after is also our duty as parents.”
Still facing the direction where the Managing Director and his son had disappeared, the two of them exchanged those meaningful words in a murmur.
And those words lingered in my ears for a long time.